Statement by UH Manoa Chancellor Konan on the tragedy at Virginia Polytechnic Institute

Student safety support services are available here

After Monday's horrific and tragic events, the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa wishes to express our deepest condolences to our colleagues at our sister Land Grant institution, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Many of our Mānoa community have connections, family, and colleagues at Virginia Tech, and wish to send our most heartfelt Aloha to them.

Our thoughts go particularly to the families of the students and staff of Virginia Tech who lost loved ones in this unthinkable incident. The campus violence that erupted earlier today is truly shocking and makes us recognize the importance of caring for our own community.

We take the safety of our students and campus community very seriously, and I want to take this opportunity to remind our Mānoa students of the resources that are available to support them:

Escort Service (956-8211) Campus Security provides transportation or a walking escort from dusk to dawn for anyone walking alone on campus at night. By calling 6-8211 (V/T) (on-campus phone), an escort can be summoned to your location. The escort will either transport you in a Campus Security vehicle or accompany you on foot to any University parking lot or facility.

Women‘s Center (956-8059) The Women's Center is a safe space for students to meet and to gather. The Center also oversees the Program Against Violence to Women, which has established a coordinated campus-community response to address issues of partner violence, sexual assault, and stalking on campus.

Ombuds Office (956-3391) The UH Mānoa ombuds staff will help you deal with any problems that faculty, students and staff may have with the university. We are impartial and offer a safe, confidential way of helping you deal with your problems.

Advocacy Office (956-9977) The Advocacy office provides information for students, staff and faculty at UH Manoa, conducts educational workshops for the entire campus community, and provides advocacy and informal resolutions for students specifically on issues of sexual harassment, assault, stalking, Gender Equity and Civil Rights. Their emphasis is on education, prevention and early resolution.

Counseling and Student Development Center (956-7927) The Counseling and Student Development Center (CSDC) is a University service that provides a variety of counseling and testing services for students and uses a holistic approach to promote wellness and personal success. The services are confidential and free of charge for Manoa students.

The University of Hawaii at Manoa remains committed to a non-violent learning environment for all our students, and I want to assure everyone that we take this responsibility very seriously.

**This document is being distributed to all members of the UH Manoa student body, faculty and staff.